Physics 1501L: FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICS I - LABORATORY

Summer 2004 Syllabus

Instructor: Dr. Tom N. Oder
Course Code #2502 (T, Th 09:00-12:00, Room 2010) Catalogue #2501
Text: The Physics Lab Manual I - By W. Cochran.
Contacts: Office Ward Beecher Hall Room 1016; Phone (330) 941-7111
E-Mail: tnoder@ysu.edu Webpage: http://www.ysu.edu/physics/tnoder/
Office Hours: M, W, F 2:00 pm 3:00 pm or by appointment.
Course Objectives:
a) To illustrate the physical principles developed in the lecture course (1501).
b) To familiarize students with basic laboratory equipments to study the physics concepts
encountered in the lecture course.
c) To develop group problem-solving and interaction skills.
Materials covered:
1. Measurement and Precision Distribution.
2. Free Fall and the Acceleration due to gravity.
3. Empirical Relations: Free Fall.
4. Kinematics in two dimensions: Projectiles.
5. Vectors: Forces and Static Equilibrium.
6. Statics, Dynamics and the Force Friction.
7. Rotation and Newtons Second Law: Uniform Circular Motion.
8. Inelastic Collisions and Momentum Conservation; The Ballistic Pendulum.
9. Energy Conservation in Rotation.
10. The Oscillating Mass-Spring System.
11. Standing Waves and the Stretched String.
12. Standing Waves and the Speed of Sound.
Grading:
The class will be divided into groups of 3-5 students. Each group will set up the experiment,
collect data, analyze the data and submit a single typewritten lab report. One person in the group
will be designated to write the report and this responsibility will be circulated among the
members of the group. The report should contain:
I) Title of the experiment, Date the experiment was performed, Names of the group
members beginning with the name of the designated lab-report writer and the table
number of your group. (2 points)
II) Statement(s) of the purpose of the experiment. (4 points)
III) Procedure: Concise and coherent description of the steps you carried. This should not be
a word-for word copy of the lab manual. Your data should be included here. (7 points)

IV) Graphs, calculations and responses to any questions posed in the lab manual. Show all the
arithmetic, equations used (if any) and the correct units for quantities mentioned. (15
points)
V) Results, estimated uncertainties and summary. (12 points)
Final Grade:
410 480 = A
340 409 = B
270 339 = C
200 269 = D
0 199
=F
The report should closely follow the literary fashion of a technical journal. A good report will be
one that a student in a 1501 class not taking the lab can easily follow what your group set out to
do and what you actually accomplished.
Each member of the group should make sure that the lab report to be submitted is acceptable to
him/her.
Class attendance is mandatory; there is no make-up for any lab missed. If you are ill, a
physicians excuse is required. The grade for the course is based solely on what you accumulate
from the 12 lab grades. There will be no final exam.

Physics 1501L: Summer 2004

Lab Partner Information sheet

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